Australia Warns of Cyber Threats to Critical Infrastructure

Australia has raised concerns over the growing threat to its critical infrastructure, revealing that one in ten cybersecurity incidents last year targeted vital systems. State-sponsored actors were identified as key culprits, employing advanced tactics to attack government agencies, infrastructure, and businesses.

The Australian Signals Directorate said in a report on Wednesday over 11% of cyber security incidents last year related to critical infrastructure, including electricity, gas, water, education and transport services.

Of these, a quarter were phishing incidents, 21% were exploitation of a public-facing interface, and 15% brute-force activities.

“We are worryingly seeing an increased focus by both cyber criminals and state actors on our critical infrastructure,” Defence Minister Richard Marles said in a radio interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Australia had joined international partners in attributing cyber incidents over the year to China, Russia and Iran.

REUTERS